Photographic-printing apparatus.



PATENTED JUNE 14, 1904.

J.- S. CUMMINGS. PHOTOGIRAIHIG PRINTING APPARATUS.

APPLIUATIONIILED SEPT. 10.1801.

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PATENTED JUNE 14, 1904.

No. 762,467. I

J. S CUMMINGS. PHOTOGRAPHIG PRINTING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.10.1901L 4 SHEETSSHEET 2.

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No. 762,467. PATENTED JUNE 14, 1904. J. S. CUMMINGS.

PHOTOGRAPHIO PRINTING APPARATUS. APPLIOA-TION FILED SEPT. 10,1901.

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PATENTED JUNE 14, 1904. J. S. CUMMINGS. PHOTOGRAPHIG PRINTING APPARATUS.

APPLIUATION FILED 8EPT,10.1901.

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U NITED STATES JOHN S. CUMMINGS, OF BROOKLYN, NEIY YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY,

Patented June 14, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

OF ROCHESTER,

NEIV YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEIV YORK.

PHOTOGRAPHlC-PRINTING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 762,467, dated June 14, 1904. Application filed September 10, 1901. Serial No. 7L,88'7. (N0 model.)

To all whom. it nuty concern.-

Be itknown that I, JOHN S. CUMMINGS, a citizen of the United States, residing in the borough of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Photographic-Printing Apparatus, fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same.

This invention relates to improvements in photographic-printing apparatus.

The present invention relates to a photographic-printing apparatus comprising asuitable support or guide on which are mounted a light-supporting frame and negative supporting means which have three relative adjustmentsnamely, to and from each other rectilinear-1y and angularly, longitudinally of the support or guide, and also reetilinearly to and from the support or guide-the purpose of these several adjustments being to suit negatives of varying dimensions, as well as negatives in which one portion is denser, and therefore requires stronger light or longer exposure for proper printing than other portions.

The negative-supporting means above referred to might be simply a printing-frame carrier or support; but in the specific form of apparatus hereinafter described in detail it consists of a carrier adapted to slide along the support or guide to and from the light-fixture and also a printing-frame pivotally mounted on said carrier so as to swing thereon in a horizontal plane or longitudinally of the support for the carrier into any angular position desired with reference to the light, the lightsupporting frame being also adapted to slide longitudinally of the support or guide to and from the negative-supporting means and also adapted for vertical adjustment to and from the support or guide and to swinghorizontally into angular position to suit negatives of varying dimensions, as well as negatives in which one port-ion, considered widthwise or lengthwise,is denser, and therefore requires stronger light or longer exposure for proper printing than other portions.

Another branch of the invention relates to a novel construction of printing-frame designed particularly for use in the printing apparatus above referred to, but capable of use in other printing apparatus or by itself in printing by natural light.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a photographic-printing apparatus embodying the several features of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an end view of the same looking toward the left of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 3 3 of Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 4 is a vertical section on theline 44 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a plan view illustrating particularly the manncr in which the photographic-printing frame may be adjusted angularly with relation to the lightsupporting frame. Fig. 6 is a rear elevation, partly in section, of the photographic-printing frame with the back opened, illustrating particularly means for supporting the negative in printing position in the frame. Fig. 7 is a horizontal section of the printing-frame,taken on the line 3 3 of Figs. 1 and 2 with the printing-frame back partly closed. Fig. 8 isa vertical section of the light-supporting frame, illustrating a modification in the illuminating devices of the preceding figures; and Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the photographic-printing frame and its carrier, illustrating also another form of support or guide for said frame and carrier adapting them for use in printing by natural light at a window or other suitable place. 1

Referring to said drawings, 1 represents the printing-frame, and 2 the light-supporting frame, these two frames being mounted upon a support consisting of rods 3, connected to standards 4, which are in turn connected by transverse bars 5, said rods being connected to the standards 4:, preferably by means of screws, so that when desired said rods and standards and also the 1n'inting-frame 1 and light-supporting frame 2 may be disconnected for shipment or other purposes. The lightsupporting frame 2 consists of a base or shelf 6, bearing the illuminating devices, and side walls 7, connected at their upper ends by rod 8, the rear of the frame 2 being open, so as to accommodate a suitable reflector, as 9, of pasteboard or other material, secured at its ends to the side walls 7 and extending behind the illuminating devices on shelf 6, these illuminating devices in the case shown consisting of a pair of gas-fixtures 10, provided with flexible tubing 11 for connecting them with a source of gas supply. The printing-frame 1 (the construction of which will be hereinafter more fully described) is mounted upon a carrier 12,

provided at each of its opposite ends with a pair of cars 13,which fit over the rods 3, so that said carrier 12, and with it the frame 1, may be moved or adjusted longitudinally of said 5 rods to and from the light-supporting frame 2, while the light-supporting frame 2 is connected to a carrier consisting of standards 14, connected at their upper ends to a brace and at their lower ends to a pair of brackets 2 16, connected by cars 17 to the rods 3, so as frame 1.

The purpose of mounting the printing-frame and the light-supporting frame upon the rods 3 in the manner deseribcdthat is to say, so that they may slide thereon-is primarily to enable the two frames to be adjusted different distances from each other, and thus to vary the distance between the light on frame 2 and the negative on frame 1, so as to suit negatives of different densities. 'To secure 3 5 this result, however, it is not necessary that both the frames should be so mounted, as the same result could be obtained by having one frame fixed; but it is preferable to so mount both frames, as it enables them to be discon- 4 nected from the rods 3 for packing and shipment. The ears 13 and the sliding brackets 16 are provided with set-screws 18 19, respectively, so that the printing-frame 1 and the light-supporting frame 2 may be fixed upon the rods 3 in the positions to which they are adjusted longitudinally of said rods. In addition to this adjustment longitudinally of the rods 3 the printing-frame 1 is also adapted to swing horizontally, as shown in Fig. 5,

5 so as to be angularly adjustable relatively to frame 2, and for this purpose said frame 1 is vertically pivoted to its carrier 12 by means of a pin 20, projecting from a plate or hub 21 on the under side of the printing- 5 5 frame and entering a corresponding opening in a plate 22, secured to the upper face of the carrier 12. This pivotal connection of the printing-frame 1 to its carrier 12 permits said frame to be swung horizontally into any de- 69 sired angular or oblique position relatively to the light-supporting frame 2, so as to bring a denser portion of the negative, considered wldthwise of the frame, into closer proximity to the light upon the light-supporting frame 5 2 than other portions of said negative. Means are provided for locking the printing-frame 1 in the position to which it is thus angular] y adjusted upon its carrier 12, the means shown consisting of a split ring 23, which incloscs the hub or plate 21 upon the printing-frame 1 and is provided with means whereby it may be tightened about said hub or loosened, so as to lock or release the printing-frame. The means shown for so tightening and loosening the ring 23 will now be described. One end of the ring 23 is secured to the plate 22 upon the carrier 12, its opposite or free end being provided with an interiorly-threaded projection 24:, receiving the threaded end of a spindle 25,

which passes througha projection 26 upon the fixed end of the ring 23 and is provided with a shoulder 27 for engaging said projection 26, so that as said spindle is turned in one direc tion the ring is tightened about the hub or plate 21, and thus locks the printing-frame 1 against rotation, and as it is turned in the opposite direction it is loosened, and thus permits swinging movement and adjustment of the printing-frame 1 on its carrier 12 into any desired angular position with relation to the light-supporting frame 2.

Toadapt the apparatus to properly print from negatives of different sizes and from a negative different parts of which are of different densities, considered lengthwise of the negative or vertically of the frame 1, the lightsupporting frame 2 is vertically adjustable upon its carrier, so that the illuminating devices borne by it may be adjusted vertically into proper position with relation to the centers of negatives of diflerent dimensions or adjusted vertically, so as to distribute the light over a negative in accordance with the variations therein in density, (considering the negative Vertically.) To provide for this vertical adjustment of the light-supporting frame 2, the latter is connected to the standards 14, so as to slide vertically thereon, by ears 28, (two on each sidewall 7 of the frame 2,) each of these ears being provided with a set-screw 29, by which the frame 2 may be fixed to the standards lt inany position to which it may be vertically adjusted. In addition to these two adj ustments that is, longitudinally of the rods 3 and to and from said rods-the lightsupporting frame 2 is also, like the printingframe 1, adapted to swing horizontally, so that it may be adjusted to any desired angular position relatively to the printing-frame 1, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3. To so adjust the frame 2, it is only necessary to loosen the set-screws 19 of one of the brackets 16, when said bracket, and with it the corresponding end of the light-supporting frame, may be swung to or from the printing-frame, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3, the lightsupporting frame 2 being then secured in its position of adjustment by tightening the setscrews 19. To'permit this swinging movement of the light-supporting frame 2, the

standards 14 are connected to the sliding brackets 16 in such way as to be free to turn therein.

By reason of the three described adjustments relatively to each other of the printing-frame 1 and light-supporting frame 2-namely, rectilinear adjustment of one to and from the other along the rods 3, angular adjustment of one relatively to the other along said rods, and adjustment of one to and from said rodsprovision is made for the printing of negatives differing widely in dimensions and density and also for the printing of negatives in each of which the density varies widely lengthwise and widthwise.

The printing-frame 1 is adapted for use not only in a printing apparatus such as shown for printing by artificial light, but also in other forms of printing apparatus or for printing -at a window, for exampleby natural light. In the latter casein order to bring the printing-frame into close proximity to the window 'or other opening a shorter support for the frame should be provided than that shown in Figs. 1 to 6. Such aframe. is shown in Fig. 9, in which the printing-frame is shown in position at a window or opening in a wall for printing by artificial light, the frame shown in this case consisting of short rods 3, secured to standards 4, which are connected, as in Figs. 1 to 6, by transverse rods 5. (N 0t shown.) A short frame of this character can readily be placed upon a small table and permits the frame to be placed in very close proximity to the window or other opening in a wall.

The illuminating devices (shown in Figs. 1 to 6) consist, as before stated, of gas-fixtures connected by flexible tubing to a source of gas-supply. here devices of this kind are employed, it is preferable, in order to get a strong light and a light of the proper color, to use mantles, as shown, of the elsbach type. If desired, an electric-light fixture or fixtures may be substituted for the gas-fixtures of Figs. 1 to 6, such an arrangement being shown in Fig. 8, or oil-lamps may be used, if desired, the lamp or lamps resting upon the shelf 6.

The printing-frame shown in the present case consists of a casing provided with a shutter 30, movable vertically in grooves in the interior of said casing, a glass plate 31 or the like located in grooves 32 in the casing in the rear of the shutter 30 and against which the negative, as 33, is supported during the printing operation, and a back 34, consisting of two sections 35 36, hinged together, the inner section 35 of the back being hinged to the easing and the outer section 36 provided with one member 37 of a locking device, which is camshaped and pivoted to section 36 and is adapted to engage a corresponding locking member 38 upon the casing. Between the glass plate 31 and the back 34: the casing is also provided with means for supporting the negatives to be printed from, consisting of two flat bars or strips 39 40 in the grooves 32, in which glass plate 31 is located, the upper and lower edges of these bars or strips being adapted to engage the upper and lower edges of the negatives and each of said bars or strips being provided with a pair of fingers 41 for engaging the outer face of the negative and holding it against the glass plate 31. One of these strips or bars 39 40, and preferably the lower one, 40, is vertically adjustable, so as to accommodate negatives of different dimensions, means being provided consisting of racks 12, fixed to the casing, and pawls e13, pivoted to the strip or bar and engaging said racks for retaining said strip or bar in the position to which it is adjusted.

The back Set of the printing-frame 1 is of peculiar construction, in that its inner face (which is covered with felt or the like) instead of being straight, as is usual in printingframes, is bent or bowed inwardly slightly, as best shown in Fig. 5, so that the negative-engaging portion of said face projects beyond other portions thereof, with the result that when a sheet of photographic-printing paper, as 4&1, is placed against the back of a negative for printing the inner section 35 of the back as the latter is being closed will, as illustrated in Fig. 7, press the sheet tightly against the negative, and thus hold it securely against displacement while the outer section 36 of the back is being folded inwardly and the locking member 37 engaged with locking member 38 on the casing.

The shutter 30 of the printing-frame 1 is raised, so as to expose the negative to the light, by means of pinions 45, secured to a shaft 16, journaled in bearings at? in the casing and which engage racks 48, formed upon the side frames of the shutter, the shaft 4:6, with its pinions 45, being rotated by means of a cord 49 passing over a pulley 50, secured to the end of said shaft. The shutter is held inits raised position during the printing operation by the operator, who retains his hold upon the cord 49, and after the operation of printing is completed and the cord released by the operator the shutter is lowered to closing position by gravity, aided, if desired, by a spring. (Not shown.)

The shutter 30 consists of a frame. of wood or other suitable material, inclosing a sheet 30, of orange-colored paper or othersuitable material, which while the shutter is in its lowered or closing position will wholly or partially exclude actinic rays from the interior of the printing-frame. The advantage of a shutter of this kind--that is, a shutter con taining such a colored sheet is that such sheet furnishes a light within the printing-frame which enables the operator to judge the density and quality of the negatives placed in the printing-frame more accurately than he could by any other light.

hat I claim is 1. In a photographic-printing apparatus the combination of a suitable support or guide, and a printing-frame and a light-supporting frame connected with and relatively adjustable, rectilinearly and angularly, longitudinally of the support or guide, substantially as described.

2. In aphotographic-printing apparatus the combination of asuitable support or guide, and a printing-frame and a light-supporting frame connected With and relatively adjustable rectilinearly to and from the support or guide, substantially as described.

3. In a photographic-printing apparatus the combination of a suitable support or guide, and a printing-frame and a light-supporting frame connected with and relatively adjustable rectilinearly to and from and longitudinally of the support or guide, substantially as described.

4. In a photographic-p rinting apparatus the combination of a suitable support or guide, and a printing-frame and a light-supporting frame connected with and relatively adjustable rectilinearly to and from the support or guide and an'gularly longitudinally thereof, substantially as described.

5. In a photographic-printing apparatus the combination of a suitable support or guide, and a printing-frame and a light-supporting frame connected with and relatively adjustable rectilinearly to and from the support or guide, and rectilinearly and angularly longitudinally thereof, substantially as described.

6. In a photographic-printing apparatus the combination of a suitable support or guide and a light-supporting frame connected with and adjustable rectilinearly to and from the support or guide and angularly longitudinally thereof, substantially as described.

7. In a photographic-printing apparatus the combination of a suitable support or guide, and a printing-frame connected with and angularly adjustable longitudinally of the support or guide, substantially as described.

8. In a photographic-printing apparatus the combination of asuitable support or guide, and a printing-frame connected with and rectilinearly and angularly adjustable longitudinally of the support or guide, substantially as described.

9. In a photographic-printing apparatus the combination of asuitable support or guide and a printing-frame and a light-supporting frame connected with and each angularly adjustable longitudinally of the support or guide, substantially as described.

10. In a photographie-printing apparatus the combination of a suitable support or guide and a printing-frame and a light-supporting frame connected with and each rectilinearly and angularly adjustable longitudinally of the support or guide, substantially as described.

11. In a photographic-printing apparatus the combination of a suitable support or guide,

and a printing-frame and a light-supporting frame connected with and each angularly adjustable longitudinally of the support or guide, said light-supporting frame being also adjustable rectilinearly to and from the support or guide, substantially as described.

12. In a photographic-printing apparatus, the combination of a suitable support or guide, a printing-frame, a light-supporting frame, and a carrier for one of said frames connected with and adjustable rectilinearly and angularly longitudinally of the support or guide, substantially as described.

13. In a photographic-printing apparatus, the combination of a suitable support or guide, a printing-frame, a light-supporting frame, and a carrier for said light-supporting frame connected with and adjustable rectilinearly and angularly longitudinally of the support or guide, substantially as described.

14:. In a photographic-printing apparatus, the combination of a suitable support or guide, a printing-frame, a light-supporting frame, and a carrier for one of said frames connected with and adjustable rectilinearly longitudinally of the support or guide and on which said frame is mounted so as to be angularly adjustable longitudinally of the support or guide, substantially as described.

15. In a photographic-printing apparatus, thecombination of a suitable support or guide, a printing-frame, a light-supporting frame, and a carrier for said printing-frame connected with and adjustable rectilinearly longitudinally of the support or guide and in which said frame is mounted so as to be angularly adjustable longitudinally of the support or guide, substantially as described.

16. The combination with a printing-frame, of a support therefor in which said frame is vertically pivoted for angular adjustment horizontally, the pivotal connections between said members comprising a pin on one entering an opening in the other, substantially as described.

17 In a photographic-printing apparatus, the combination of a suitable support or guide, a printing-frame, va light-supporting frame, a carrier for said printing-frame connected with and adjustable rectilinearly longitudinally of the support or guide and in which said frame is mounted so as to be angularly adjustable longitudinally of the support, split clamping-ring 23 for locking said frame in its.

19. In a photographic-printing apparatus,

the combination of a suitable support or guide, a light-s11 pportmg frame, a carrler therefor comprising brackets 16 adapted to slide-on the support or guide, and vertical standards 14 connected to said brackets and to which c said frame is adjustably connected, substantially as described.

20. In a photographic-printing apparatus, the combination of asuitable support or guide, and negative-supporting means connected With and angularly adjustable longitudinally of the support or guide, substantially as described.

21. In a photographic-printing apparatus, the combination of a suitable support or guide, and negative-supporting means reetilinearly and angularly adjustable longitudinally of the support or guide, substantially as described.

22. In a photographic-printing apparatus, the combination of a suitable support or guide, and a light-supporting frame and negativesupporting means relatively adjustable longitudinally of the support or guide, said negative-supporting means being also angularly adjustable longitudinally of the support or guide, substantially as described.

23. In a photographie-printing apparatus, the combination of a suitable support or guide, and a light-supporting frame and negativesupporting means relatively adjustable longitudinally of and to and from the support or guide, said negative-supporting means also angular] y adjustable longitudinally of the su pport or guide, substantially as described.

24. In a photographic-printing apparatus, the combination of a suitable support or guide and a light-supporting frame and negativesupporting means relatively adjustable to and from the support or guide, said negative-supporting means being also angularly adjustable longitudinally of the support or guide, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JOHN S. CUMMINGS.

\Vitnesses:

Gus Bonsr, J. A. GRAVES. 

